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Grand Tour of Turkey
13 DAYS FROM £684
We have been with Archers on about eight holidays now and can honestly say that we have never been disappointed on any one of them. From the standard of the hotels, the food, choice of locations and the excursions, they have all been excellent and great value for money.
The sights, sounds and smells of Istanbul were a wonderful experience and one that we would like to return to. Gallipoli was very moving and it was intriguing to see the beaches and the terrain that was once a major battlefield. The highlights were undoubtedly Pummakale and Cappadochia, we tried to explain to people exactly what we had seen but it was impossible without the help of photographs. To enter the area of Cappadochia was truly awesome and very hard to believe what we were seeing, most definitely one of the natural wonders of the world.
I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to experience something different. We are already looking forward to next years holiday (with Archers of course)
It was a brilliant holiday, all the hotels were excellent and the food was good. We had a superb leader in Buecu, nothing was too much trouble for her. She had a great sense of humour and was great fun. The coach driver was extremely good too.
All in all it was a wonderful holiday and excellent value for money.
We will definitely travel with Cosmos Tourama again and have recommended it to many of our friends.
Wonderful organisation from start to finish.
Much of the success of the holiday was due to the efforts of our Guide, Gokham. Always polite, always helpful and despite various difficulties encountered, always calm. We were impressed by the way he got us booked into each hotel, allocated rooms and distributed keys speedily and without fuss or bother. He was always there when needed, but never intrusive.
Despite, or perhaps because of, the make-up of the large party, which consisted of no less than 11 different nationalities and a wide age range from students to senior citizens, the group 'gelled' very quickly.
The daily seating plan changes met with favour all round and during some of the long journeys when some of the scenery was less interesting, Gokham kept us amused with historical, geographical and cultural facts and from time to time a selection of jokes.
The itinerary could not have been bettered. We saw all we had hoped to see and more. All hotels were clean, comfortable and well situated and the food was excellent. All in all, good value for money.
Again, many thanks.
It was full of wonderful sights ,modern villages too, Pamukalee and Capodocia was a true wonder. Our guides were great , full of information that you would not find in history or reference books.
Later this year we are booked to tour America, we hope we're not in for too much of a culture shock...but if it is as good as our previous holidays with Archers we'll have a fab time. Really looking forward to it.
Then, after a few weeks rest, we did the Grand tour of Turkey in October, which was the experience of a lifetime, with a wonderful tour guide, Bourcu and a terrific driver, Baki.
Distinctive, welcoming, fascinating - Turkey is a country that for centuries has been a crossroads between the exotic East and ancient Europe.
Included Highlights
Gallipoli Anzac Cemetery & The Lone Pine Memorial
Troy Site visit
Izmir Orientation drive
Pamukkale Cotton Castle & ancient site of Hierapolis
Agzikarahan 'Caravanserai'
Cappadocia Goreme open-air museum
Gordion King Midas tomb
Bursa Great Mosque, covered Bazaar & Silk market
Istanbul City sightseeing
Your Price Includes
Flights: UK - Istanbul - UK
Accommodation on tour in twin room with private facilities
Meals on tour 12 breakfasts (B) and 8 dinners (D)
Professional tour director on tour
Porterage at hotels during tour (for one suitcase per person)
Transfers between overseas airport and hotels
All local and airport taxes/service charges
Single share option no supplement to pay
Holiday Itinerary
DAY 1: UK - Istanbul.
Fly to Istanbul where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for one night. Included welcome drink on arrival. Late arrivals may have the welcome briefing the following morning.
DAY 2: Istanbul - Gallipoli - Canakkale.
Skirting the Sea of Marmara, we head for Gallipoli on the European side of the Dardanelles, where we visit the Anzac Cemetery and the sites of the famous World War I battlefields. Then a short ferry journey takes us to the charming city of Canakkale, at the mouth of the Koca River, for one night. (B, D)
DAY 3: Canakkale - Troy - Izmir - Kusadasi.
Our first stop is the ancient Homerian city of Troy, famous for its 'Wooden Horse'. The site, excavated in 1871, actually displays nine ancient metropolises, dating back to 3000BC. Then we head south to the lovely Bay of Edremit, with its distant views of the blue mountains of the Greek island of Lesbos. Travelling through forests of pine and valonia oak, we arrive in the bustling Aegean port of Izmir for an orientation drive which will include the Karsiyaka district. Then it's on to the popular seaside resort of Kusadasi for two nights. (B, D)
DAY 4: Kusadasi. At leisure.
Situated between ancient Ephesus and Priene, Kusadasi is a charming, cosmopolitan resort with a delightful climate and white sandy beaches. The day is yours to relax or explore. Alternatively, why not take one of our great-value optional excursions to Ephesus or the Virgin Mary House? (B)
DAY 5: Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Denizli area.
We travel past Aydin, entering what is known as the 'Greek Meander', the most fertile region in Turkey. Our first stop is for optional sightseeing at the ancient site of Aphrodisias. Later we drive past Denizli at the foot of Mount Gokbel to Pamukkale, the amazing 'Cotton Castle'. Marvel at the extraordinary white terraces, formed over the centuries by water cascading down the hillside. Here we will visit the ancient archaeological site of Hierapolis. Then it's on to your hotel in the Denizli area for one night. (B, D)
DAY 6: Denizli area - Konya.
Today we drive northeastwards to Dinar and then continue past Lake Acigol surrounded by cherry gardens and opium fields. Enjoy splendid mountain scenery on the way to Konya, one of the oldest urban centres in the world, for one night. (B, D)
DAY 7: Konya - Agzikarahan - Cappadocia.
Today we travel further east into the great central plateau which separates Konya from Aksaray, making a stop to see the great Agzikarahan 'Caravanserai'. In the afternoon, there's an included visit to Goreme to see the amazing churches and chapels carved into the rock; the whole area is outstandingly impressive. We then head for Avanos in Cappadocia for two nights. (B, D)
DAY 8: Cappadocia. At leisure.
The first records of Cappadocia date from the 6th century BC, and over the many centuries it has been a strategically important town for several civilisations, including the Persians, the Romans and the Byzantines. The day is yours to explore at your leisure. Or why not take our optional sightseeing tour? You'll visit the amazing natural amphitheatre, bounded by almost vertical cliffs into which have been hewn chambers, porticos and arcades, as well as underground cities where early Christians sheltered from Roman persecution. (B, D)
DAY 9: Cappadocia - Ankara.
We head northwest via Aksaray to Ankara, the Turkish capital, for an overnight stay. You'll arrive in time for an orientation drive, then spend the afternoon relaxing, exploring at your leisure, or taking our optional half day excursion to the museum of Anatolian Civilisations and Ankara Mausoleum of Ataturk. (B, D)
DAY 10: Ankara - Gordion - Bursa.
We travel into the ancient kingdom of Phryge to Gordion, where legend has it that Alexander the Great cut the proverbial knot. This is one of Turkey's most important archaeological sites, and we've included a visit to the fascinating Tomb of King Midas. Then it's on to ancient Bursa, standing in the shadow of the mountain of Ulu Dag - the ancient Mysian Olympus, and famous for its great Mosque, covered bazaar and silk market. Overnight in Bursa. (B, D)
DAY 11: Bursa - Istanbul (included sightseeing).
We drive to the shores of the Sea of Marmara for a short ferry crossing on the Izmit Bay to the exotic city of Istanbul, straddling Europe and Asia. Our included sightseeing tour with local guide will include visits to the Roman Hippodrome and the stunning Blue Mosque. Later why not join us for an optional evening out with dinner and typical Turkish entertainment? (B)
DAY 12: Istanbul. At leisure.
Istanbul was founded in 600BC and is a magical city with wonderful architecture, ancient mosques and exotic bazaars with pedlars and stalls selling almonds, pistachios, iced drinks and black coffee. The day is yours to explore the city at your leisure. Or why not take our optional morning excursion by private boat to the Bosphorus, and in the afternoon our optional half day historical tour of this captivating city? (B)
DAY 13: Istanbul - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)
Check prices and availability for this holiday
Accommodation on Tour
Istanbul: Tazlik (3*); Canakkale: Tusan (4*); Kusadasi: Grand Onder (4*); Denizli area: Herakles Thermal (3*); Konya: Balikçilar (4*); Avanos: Altinyazi (4*); Ankara: GD Hotel Anadolu (3*); Bursa: Kervansaray (3*).
VISA REQUIREMENTS
A visa is required for entry into Turkey. This can be purchased on arrival by UK passport holders.
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prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement,
Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable)
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